Wayne voters face millage proposal on May 5 ballot

Two ballot questions for a P.A. 345 millage have been approved for the May 5 ballot by the Wayne City Council.

The city will ask voters to set up a 345 police and fire pension program to take the pension fund out of the general fund as well as approve a 3 mills for five years request to fund police and fire retirement costs – currently paid through the city's general fund – would generate an expected $1 million annually. That would leave another $1 million to be trimmed from the city's spending.

Just prior to its regular meeting, the council received a budget update from consultant Tim McCurley of Plante Moran showing that the current fiscal deficit has grown to $656,000.

A similar proposal was rejected by voters in 2013. Councilman John Rhaesa questioned placing the proposals on the May 5 ballot along with a state road funding tax request.

"Do you think it will pass in that environment? We need to think of that," said Rhaesa. "It would be two years (before it could be placed on a ballot again) if it doesn't pass."

May vote

If the questions aren't placed on May ballot, Councilman Albert Damitio said the revenues wouldn't be available for the 2015-16 budget, if approved by voters.

"We wouldn't have a structurally balanced budget. We have a responsibility to go before voters for what we need for a structurally balanced budget," he said.

The councilman tasked with working on city finances, Damitio had recommended the ballot questions. He said the $1 million shortfall remaining, if the ballot proposal are approved, could be addressed with spending reductions.

"We need to be honest and upfront with the citizens and meet the requirements on the budget," said Damitio. "We will let the citizens decide. If citizens don't approve it, the money to support the pensions won't be there."

Unlike the failed 2013 ballot proposals, the council this time talked about making public specific budget cuts that would have to be implemented, if the additional funding isn't approved by voters.

"The voters spoke (in 2013). Is the council going to come back to us each time you need more money?" said resident Bob Boertje. "I took a 16 percent pay cut this year. I had no choice. I'll be very vocal against this."

Boertje added that the council didn't follow through with the approved plan to close half the community center, costing the city money.

Critical of proposals

Resident Ron Roberts was also critical of the 345 proposals, adamantly telling council it would never pass. He repeated his view that the city should file for bankruptcy.

"You've been just hanging on a little longer for years. You're technically bankrupt when you have people doing three or four jobs," said Roberts. "It won't pass I can tell you and the governor's proposal won't pass."

Resident Vern Amos said the city can't justify the expense of the community center, which would have high maintenance costs even if the building was closed.

"It would be better to bulldoze it, build condos or some other private use," said Amos. "DPS can handle the ball fields."

Amos also called for an on-call volunteer fire department and privately contracted EMS.

Damitio challenged Amos on inaccurate numbers relating to the community center and his claim that Wayne at one time had a volunteer fire department.